Steve Gleason documentary airs Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013

Steve Gleason documentary airs Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013

Associated Press photo by GERALD HERBERT -- Former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason, who is suffering from ALS, concentrates as he demonstrates the newest technology for Team Gleason House, which will open this spring in New Orleans.

A documentary on former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason premieres at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on NFL Network. The NFL Films production will examine Gleason and the Team Gleason foundation he started to combat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease he was diagnosed with in January 2011.

The show also documents a trip he took recently to Machu Picchu in Peru in April and follows him around during his Gleason Gras fundraiser at Champions Square on Sept. 6.

Rebroadcasts will air at 2 p.m. Wednesday on NFL Network and 1:30 a.m. Thursday on ESPN 2.

The Saints said Gleason will live-tweet during the show on Tuesday night from his Twitter account, @team_gleason. Gleason tweets with his eyes using a computer mounted on his wheelchair.

Gleason jointed the Saints in 2000 and spent eight years with the team. He retired in 2008 and settled in New Orleans with his wife, Michel.

The Gleasons have a son, Rivers.

Gleason’s punt block on the night the Superdome re-opened for the first time after Hurricane Katrina is considered one of the most important plays in franchise history.